Method for duplicating and distributing information for identifying profiles of subcribers of a communication system

ABSTRACT

A method and module are provided for duplicating and distributing information for identifying profiles of subscribers of a communication system, wherein: a) the subscribers define and store subscriber specific profiles via respective input units in a respective communication device and/or in a respective module coupled to a respective communication device; b) the profiles of other subscribers of the communication system are received a module coupled to one of the communication devices on the basis of wireless, locally defined network technology; c) the received profiles are compared to the defined and stored profile in the respective communication device according to a profile specific correlations threshold; d) the received profiles of the respective communication device are stored by activating the subscriber of the respective communication device and are compared to each respective profile specific correlation threshold; e) the received profiles of the respective communication device are stored by activating the subscriber of the respective communication device and are compared with profiles when a change in location of the respective communication device and/or the advancement of time according to the respective profile specific correlation thresholds, the profiles being newly-received and stored via a module coupled to the respective communication device on the basis of wireless, locally defined network technology as a result of a change in location and/or a lapse of time; and f) respective exceeding of the profile specific correlation thresholds is indicated to the respective subscribers of the corresponding subscriber specific profiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for duplicating anddistributing information for identifying profiles of subscribers of acommunication system, particularly in a wireless communication system.When searching for particular supply and demand profiles, it is oftendesirable, firstly, to be able to make an anonymous selection fromvarious selectable profiles before making direct contact with asubscriber having a particular profile, but secondly, also, to have thesimultaneous option of immediately making personal contact with anappropriate subscriber. To date, it has been typical to draw up a supplyor a demand oneself using conventional media, such as print(advertisement), internet (e.g., web page), or mobile radiotechnologies, such as by using questionnaires from suppliers. Thissupply is then compared manually, partially automatically or fullyautomatically with supplies and demands already stored. By way ofexample, the cognitive comparison of advertisements with the searchingparty's request profile, internet searching using search engines and theuse of search robots may be mentioned in this context. Making directimmediate contact with a particular subscriber in combination withanonymous preselection has not been possible to date. As alreadymentioned, it is known practice to adjust supply and demand profilesthrough locally unlimited connection and correlation of the transmittedprofiles; for example using search engines on the internet or in thecellular network. One drawback of this approach is the local “lack oflimitation” for applications, such as partner searching or the formationof communities. This approach results in a multiplicity of correlationswhich are irrelevant because they are not available on an ad hoc basis.

In addition, it is known practice from DE 102 12 248 to be able toadjust supply and demand profiles through locally limited ad hocconnections and correlation of the transmitted profiles using wirelessLAN (local area network)/PAN (personal area network) technology. Amodule for providing wireless, locally limited LAN/PAN networktechnology and for implementing the adjustment functionality is combinedwith a mobile telephone in this context. In the module, a firstsubscriber defines and stores a supply, demand or interest profile. Themodule uses the LAN/PAN standard Bluetooth, for example, to make contactautomatically with each further module which is in the radio cell. Whena further module has been identified, an ad hoc connection to thismodule is set up and the profiles of the corresponding subscribers aretransmitted to the first subscriber. The profiles are then correlated.Following correlation, a correlation threshold defined beforehand by thesubscriber decides whether both profiles are to be assessed assufficiently matching. If this is the case, the subscriber is theninformed in suitable fashion about a positive correlation result. Thesubsequent personal contact made with the subscribers is made byassigning temporarily valid telephone numbers. In the opposite case ofinsufficient match between the profiles, there is no possibility ofmaking contact. A drawback of this approach is the severe local limitingof the ad hoc connection by the limited range of the network technologyused; for example, in the case of Bluetooth or IEEE802.11 links. Thelimited range of the direct LAN/PAN connection significantly reduces theprobability of positive correlation taking place; i.e., correlation whenthe profiles match.

It is, thus, an object of the present invention to provide a methodwhich can be used by a subscriber of a communication system to identifysupply and demand profiles from other subscribers of the communicationsystem easily and quickly in a domain which is of interest in terms ofspace and time for making direct personal contact, and possibly to makeimmediate contact with one or more subscribers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for duplicating anddistributing information for identifying profiles of subscribers of acommunication system, in which:

-   -   a. the subscribers define and store subscriber-specific profiles        using a respective input unit in a respective communication        appliance and/or in a respective module coupled to a respective        communication appliance;    -   b. the respective module coupled to a respective one of the        communication appliances is used to receive profiles from other        subscribers of the communication system on the basis of        wireless, locally limited network technology;    -   c. the profiles received are compared with the profile which is        defined and stored in the respective communication appliance in        line with a profile-specific correlation threshold; wherein    -   d. activation by the subscriber on the respective communication        appliance stores the received profiles in the respective        communication appliance and compares them with one another in        line with respective profile-specific correlation thresholds;    -   e. activation by the subscriber on the respective communication        appliance stores the received profiles in the respective        communication appliance and, in the event of a change of        location of the respective communication appliance and/or as        time progresses, compares them, in line with the respective        profile-specific correlation thresholds, with profiles which are        newly received and stored on the basis of wireless, locally        limited network technology using the module coupled to the        respective communication appliance due to the change of location        and/or the progression of time; and    -   f. a respective instance of the profile-specific correlation        thresholds being exceeded is communicated to the respective        subscribers having the corresponding subscriber-specific        profiles.

In this case, the input unit may be, by way of example, a keypad on amobile communication appliance, such as a mobile telephone, or akeyboard on a computer unit, such as a personal computer (PC). A furtheroption is to input the profile on an external appliance, such as on apersonal computer (PC), and to transmit the data to the communicationappliance via a wireless interface, generally via a radio or infraredinterface.

The module coupled to a communication appliance may be integrated intothe communication appliance and, thus, may be part of the communicationappliance or may be connected as an external module to the communicationappliance in the form of a “plug on” module.

In one preferred embodiment of the inventive method, profiles of othersubscribers are stored only temporarily in a subscriber's communicationappliance. When a defined period has elapsed since the respectiveprofiles were stored, these profiles lose validity and are automaticallydeleted.

In one preferred embodiment, the wireless, locally limited networktechnology used is LAN (Local Area Network) and/or PAN (Personal AreaNetwork) technology. In this case, Bluetooth technology is used withparticular preference. The label Bluetooth was used in 1998 to presentspecifications by a “special interest group,” including experts fromvarious companies, for a local data radio system. An unlicensedfrequency band 2.4 GHz (ISM band) is used to provide the subscribers inthe communication system with a transmission capacity of up toapproximately 1 Mbit/s. The range is low at <100 m and, thus, isdesigned primarily for communication in the local domain. Within thecontext of the present invention, Bluetooth technology is particularlywell suited for the reasons listed below:

-   -   1. Bluetooth technology has been standardized throughout the        world, is inexpensive and represents a mass-produced product;    -   2. it can be easily integrated into communication appliances        using a cellular mobile radio standard, such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE,        and UMTS; and    -   3. no costs are incurred for using a radio channel.

One drawback of Bluetooth technology is the aforementioned rangelimitation, wherein initially only the appliances in the immediatesurroundings are contacted. The present invention now achievesscattering and distribution of profiles in a larger, but stillmanageable, domain, such as in an urban region, by virtue of “scattered”networks being used for duplicating and distributing information. Withinthe context of the present invention, “scattered” networks denotesystems which include mobile ad hoc PAN/LAN systems which are terminatedover time and are organized on a non-network basis. These networks arisethrough random clustering of at least two subscribers as a result of adhoc contact being made with a LAN/PAN system which enters a radio cellin a further LAN/PAN system. When one of these systems leaves the radiocell, the network is terminated again. In “scattered” networks, data areinterchanged bidirectionally in the time during which contact exists,even if this is very short. At first, as already known, an ad hocconnection is set up using Bluetooth technology, for example. This isused to transmit a profile of a subscriber to another subscriber. Inline with the prior art, the profiles of the subscribers are correlated.In line with the present invention, a profile is received and is storedby virtue of activation of the receiving subscriber, even if no positivecorrelation has been made. This can be limited to relevant profileswhich are distinguished, by way of example, in that the resultantcorrelation value is just below the defined, profile-specificcorrelation threshold. In line with the present invention, this resultsin duplication of a profile. The mobility of the subscribers now resultsin the stored profiles being distributed and scattered in space andtime; for example, in other, possibly similar social groups. Hence, theprobability of positive correlation later increases. The subscriber whohas stored the profile serves as a mediator. In line with the presentinvention, however, the subscriber needs to have a choice of mediationand communication alternatives. These alternatives have bidirectionalapplicability in this case. In line with the present invention, thesecommunication alternatives may have the following appearance:

-   -   1. The subscriber does not block or activate a mediation        function on the module in his/her communication appliance.        Hence, no profiles are stored, or transmitted using his own        module. In addition, a subscriber advantageously may stipulate        that his/her own transmitted profile is not to be stored and        passed on by a foreign module.    -   2. The subscriber activates a mediation function on the module        in his/her communication appliance for relevant profiles; for        example, for profiles which are close to his/her own correlation        threshold. These are stored and transmitted via the subscriber's        module. Advantageously, his/her own profile also will be stored        and passed on only by other modules which are relevant within        the context mentioned above.    -   3. The subscriber activates the mediation function on the module        in his/her communication appliance for all received profiles        without restriction. As such, all profiles are stored and        transmitted via the module. His/her own transmitted profiles        then are also intended to be stored and passed on by other        modules without restriction.

Preferably, the subscriber choosing one of the communicationalternatives 2 or 3 additionally determines the period in which theprofile will be valid. Advantageously, both the desired communicationalternative and the period are part of the profile which is to betransmitted. After such a profile has been transmitted to a module, theinformation is stored in the module. When the time of maximum validityhas been reached, it is deleted from the module.

The information from a subscriber is, thus, possibly carried along byanother subscriber. Information also may be distributed using a numberof mediation stages.

Subscribers who wish to convey their profiles confirm, at the same time,the desire to set up a connection upon positive correlation of theirprofile using a mediator.

As an alternative to Bluetooth, it is possible to use IEEE 802.11b LANtechnology. Further wireless technologies for “local and personal areanetwork” applications are currently in the standardization phase.

In this case, the technology used is preferably coupled to a mobilecommunication appliance operating on the basis of a cellular standard(subsequently referred to as cellular communication appliance). Withparticular preference, this is a mobile communication appliance based onthe GSM, GPRS, EDGE and/or UMTS standard.

To identify suitable supply and demand profiles, the searchingsubscriber uses a categorization and description rule, for example, todefine an object supply, demand or interest profile, for example, and tostore it in the module or communication appliance in suitable form. Thestandardized categorization rule is used to describe, by way of example,the type of supply or demand object or area of interest, and thestandardized, object-typical description rule is used to describe theobject itself. Stipulating standardized rules makes successfulcorrelations possible. In addition, a profile-specific correlationthreshold is defined in each profile.

The module used takes wireless, locally limited network technology as abasis for automatically making contact, on an ad hoc basis, with eachfurther module which is in the same radio cell as the searchingsubscriber himself/herself. Hence, a direct, bidirectional connection isset up. When a further module has been identified in the subscriber'scorresponding radio cell, an ad hoc connection to this module is set upand the profiles of the corresponding subscribers are subsequentlytransmitted to the searching subscriber, preferably in bidirectionalfashion. When the data have been received, the profiles are correlated,preferably in both modules which are involved.

In one preferred embodiment of the inventive method, each moduleassociated with a subscriber is assigned an ID number. Advantageously,the “Bluetooth device address” supported by the Bluetooth standard isautomatically used as ID number, which uniquely identifies everyBluetooth module worldwide. After the systems are first turned on, forexample, the modules transmit their ID numbers using the preferablycellular communication appliances to an interposed provider. Theprovider thus sets up a unique association between the ID number of themodule and the addressing (telephone number) of the cellularcommunication appliance. This association is valid only until the moduleis replaced. When a different module is connected to the communicationappliance, the provider needs to make a new association. This can bedone using the aforementioned method. The ID numbers likewise aretransmitted bidirectionally between two respective modules when contactis made in order to identify the corresponding modules.

In line with the present invention, an instance of profile-specificcorrelation thresholds being exceeded is communicated to the respectivesubscribers having the corresponding subscriber-specific profiles.

For the purpose of finally making personal contact with the subscribers(i.e., to set up a direct communication connection), the followingcriteria are now relevant within the context of the present invention:

-   -   The network technology used cannot and is not intended to        presuppose a direct visual connection, which would simplify        making contact.

The desire for discretion must not make it imperative for a directpersonal (visual) connection to be made or detected. In addition, itmust not be imperative to set up the connection at the immediate time.It also must be possible to avoid surrendering personal details for thepurpose of making direct contact, such as telephone number or address.

The subscriber has full flexibility to accept or decline personalcontact under full protection of his/her privacy.

If a direct communication connection is to be set up, this is done, inline with the present invention, by virtue of respective suitableactivation at the subscriber end. Such activation can be performed, byway of example, by pressing a key on the module or on the input unit ofthe communication appliance. In line with the present invention, acommunication connection, preferably a GSM, GPRS, EDGE or UMTSconnection, is first automatically set up to an interposed “provider” ofthe communication system. This interposed provider undertakes toorganize the contact which is to be made. The contact made may beorganized in the manner below, for example.

A module associated with a subscriber A transmits the ID number of amodule associated with a subscriber B whom subscriber A wishes tocontact to the interposed provider with a contact request using thepreferably cellular communication appliance. This ID number, which isstored at the provider's premises, can be used for uniquely identifyingsubscriber B and the associated module. The provider checks whethersubscriber B's module or subscriber B, with whom subscriber A wishes tomake contact, likewise has expressed an interest, within the frameworkof a time window which is to be defined, in making contact after the IDnumber likewise has been transmitted to him/her together with a contactrequest. If this is not the case, then direct contact is not possible.Depending on the tariff structure, subscriber A's provide also maycalculate a charge in the case of unsuccessful direct contact.

If subscriber B is interested in making contact, then subscriber B orsubscriber B's module transmits the ID number of A together with acontact request to the provider likewise using the preferably cellularcommunication appliance. If the two contact requests and the ID numbersof the modules are available in a defined time window, then it ispossible to make contact. Preferably, a respective neutral telephonenumber is assigned to the subscribers in order to set up a communicationconnection between the subscribers A and B. This provides the option ofboth subscribers being able to use neutral telephone numbers to makecontact, the telephone numbers being different than the personaltelephone number in order to protect anonymity. The neutral telephonenumbers are preferably assigned temporarily for a time window which isto be determined. The provider may levy a charge for each successfulcontact made by the subscribers A and B, for example, the charge beingon the order of magnitude of an SMS (Short Message Service) transmissiontoday, for example. Thus, contact is successfully set up. Subscribers Aand B can now make arrangements verbally.

In a further application of the present invention, one of thesubscribers may be a fixed or mobile provider of a product or service.In line with the description given, the supply or demand is communicatedto each passing subscriber in a limited radius, such as in an urbanarea, using the technology described. According to known terminology,this service can be referred to as a “located based offer” or “locatedbasedservices.” Besides information relating to an accurate localdescription of the location, the provider of the service may, uponconfirmation of the interest by a potential customer, be sent furtherinformation, such as prices, about the communication appliance. Unlikein the case of the application above, the provider of the serviceadvantageously confirms the correlation automatically.

One advantage of the present invention over identification systems whichalready exist and have been mentioned at the outset can be seen, interalia, in that the search area of subscribers with supply and demandwishes is expanded usefully in terms of space without going beyond theeveryday ranges of activity of normal subscribers. The probability of asuccessful search beyond the search radius known to date is, thus,increased.

A further advantage of the present invention can be seen in thatreplicating the supply or demand generates multipliers. Thesimultaneous, spatially separate search for a number of modulesincreases the probability of a successful search. In addition, a gooddistribution of information in and between groups, such as with similarareas of interest, is ensured. Furthermore, a certain educational effectcan be used in that frequently receiving similar relevant profiles makespriorities or trends recognizable.

A further advantage of the present invention can be seen in that thesearch for a suitable profile is performed at constant locations andtimes without the need for the corresponding subscriber to take actionrepeatedly. As such, the search is performed in parallel with anotherbusiness activity. In addition, as already mentioned, the search isdiscrete and anonymous. It can be controlled without obligation andpersonally.

The present invention also relates to a module which can be used for theinventive method and which can be integrated into a mobile communicationappliance associated with a subscriber and/or can be coupled to a mobilecommunication appliance associated with a subscriber via an interfaceand has at least the following elements:

-   -   A. a memory unit for storing a profile of the subscriber        himself/herself,    -   B. a transmission and reception unit, operating on the basis of        wireless, locally limited network technology, for transmitting        and receiving (scanning) foreign profiles from other subscribers        of a communication system;    -   C. a memory unit for storing the foreign profiles which have        been received;    -   D. a correlation unit for comparing profiles with one another;        and    -   E. a signaling/synchronization unit.

The module's components described above also may become components ofthe communication appliance with increasing integration. Thus, by way ofexample, the memory units may be integrated into the communicationappliance's memory, the function of the correlation unit may beperformed by the communication appliance's processor and the function ofthe signaling and synchronization unit may be adopted by additionalhardware in the communication appliance. A characteristic of the modulefully integrated into the communication appliance is the LAN/PANtechnology and the specific software for providing and controlling theadditional functionality.

The mobile communication appliance preferably supports cellularcommunication standards, such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE or UMTS. The mostimportant components of the communication appliance are the mobile radiohardware and software with an interface for the module and the inputunit.

Preferably, the transmission and reception unit is a unit operating onthe basis of LAN and/or PAN technology.

Also preferably, the memory units are RAM(s) specific to this function.In addition, the memory units also may be produced by memory units inthe module hardware or in the hardware of the communication appliance.

The correlation unit is preferably a microcomputer or DSP (DigitalSignal Processor). The function of the correlation unit also may beprovided by the existing module hardware or by the hardware of thecommunication appliance with additional software.

In addition, the signaling/synchronization unit is preferably asoftware-assisted circuit. Alternatively, this may be the modulehardware or may be integrated into the hardware of the communicationappliance.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the following DetailedDescription of the Invention and the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a schematic flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of theinventive method.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an inventivemodule which is integrated in a mobile communication appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of theinventive method. Subscriber A and subscriber B initially belong to asubscriber group AB. An ad hoc connection is set up between A and B; forexample, using Bluetooth technology. A profile and an ID number for Aare transmitted to B. Similarly, a profile and an ID number for B aretransmitted to A, with subsequent correlation. In addition, the profileof A is automatically stored in B's module in the example shown. Thisstorage also takes place in the event of negative correlation; forexample, when the correlation threshold has almost been reached. Thisresults in duplication of profile A in B's module, which increases theprobability of a positive correlation later. Subscriber B, thus, servesas a mediator for subscriber A. The information from profile A iscarried along by subscriber B. B's module contacts each further modulewhich is in the radio cell. Assuming that subscriber B is acting insimilar social groups, the probability of a positive correlationlikewise increases. In this case, B changes from group AB to a furthergroup BC. Following identification of a further module C in the groupBC, a connection to module C is set up and, not only the profile of Band the ID number of B, but also the profile of A and the latter's IDnumber are transmitted to C. When the data have been received in C'smodule, the profiles are correlated, preferably when the profile fromsubscriber B starts. Upon positive correlation of the profile ofsubscriber B, the correlation of the profile from A advantageously maybe terminated in order to prevent collisions.

An instance of a respective correlation threshold being exceeded iscommunicated to the corresponding subscribers. In the present case, anycorrelation between B and C is communicated both to B and C. If B is notcorrelated to C, but to A, this likewise be communicated to C.Subscriber C has the option of appropriate activation, such as pressinga key on the input unit of his/her module or of the communicationappliance, in order to express the desire to set up a communicationconnection. Subscriber B is notified, preferably audibly or visually,that the correlation is a mediation action from A and C. A GSMconnection is then automatically set up from A and C to a provider D ofthe communication system. If subscribers A and C use the describedalgorithm within a stipulated time window to express the desire formediation, provider D assigns subscriber A a temporary telephone numberfor subscriber C and assigns subscriber C a temporary telephone numberfor subscriber A. These telephone numbers are assigned to thesubscribers as appropriate, so that subscribers A and C can,respectively, make contact with one another using these telephonenumbers.

FIG. 2 shows a module F which is integrated in a mobile communicationappliance G. The mobile communication appliance G contains, as acomponent, the radio hardware H and software with an interface for themodule F and the input unit I. Module F contains a memory unit A forstoring its own profile, a memory unit B for storing foreign profiles,or profiles of other subscribers which are to be transmitted, atransmission and reception unit C, operating on the basis of wireless,locally limited network technology, for transmitting and receiving(scanning) the profiles of the subscribers in communication systems, acorrelation unit D for comparing profiles with one another and asignaling/synchronization unit E.

Although the present invention has been described with reference tospecific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as set forth in the hereafter appended claims.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A method for duplicating and distributinginformation for identifying profiles of subscribers of a communicationsystem, the method comprising: defining and storing, by the subscribers,subscriber-specific profiles using a respective input unit in arespective module coupled to a respective communication appliance; usingthe respective module coupled to a respective communication appliance toreceive profiles from other subscribers of the communication systembased on wireless, locally limited network technology; comparingreceived profiles to the profile which is defined and stored in therespective communication appliance in line with a profile-specificcorrelation threshold; storing, upon activation by a subscriber, on therespective communication appliance the received profiles of therespective communication appliance; comparing, by the respectivecommunication appliance, the received profiles of the respectivecommunication appliance with one another in line with respectiveprofile-specific correlation thresholds; storing, upon activation by thesubscriber, on the respective communication appliance the receivedprofiles of the respective communication appliance; comparing, upon atleast one of a change of location of the respective communicationappliance and a progression of time, the received profiles, in line withthe respective profile-specific correlation thresholds, with profileswhich are newly received and stored based on wireless, locally limitednetwork technology profiles of other subscribers of the communicationsystem using the module coupled to the respective communicationappliance due to at least one of the change of location and theprogression of time; and communicating a respective instance of theprofile-specific correlation thresholds being exceeded to the respectivesubscribers having the corresponding subscriber-specific profiles.
 16. Amethod for duplicating and distributing information for identifyingprofiles of subscribers of a communication system as claimed in claim15, wherein profiles from other subscribers are temporarily stored in acommunication appliance of a subscriber.
 17. A method for duplicatingand distributing information for identifying profiles of subscribers ofa communication system as claimed in claim 15, wherein whenprofile-specific correlation thresholds are exceeded, an interposedprovider of the communication system is used to set up a communicationconnection between the respective subscribers having the correspondingsubscriber-specific profiles upon respective activation by thesubscribers.
 18. A method for duplicating and distributing informationfor identifying profiles of subscribers of a communication system asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the wireless, locally limited networktechnology used is at least one of LAN technology and PAN technology.19. A method for duplicating and distributing information foridentifying profiles of subscribers of a communication system as claimedin claim 18, wherein the wireless, locally limited network technologyused is Bluetooth.
 20. A method for duplicating and distributinginformation for identifying profiles of subscribers of a communicationsystem as claimed in claim 15, wherein the respective communicationappliance used is a mobile communication appliance operating based on astandard, the standard being one of GSM, GPRS EDGE and UMTS.
 21. Amethod for duplicating and distributing information for identifyingprofiles of subscribers of a communication system as claimed in claim15, wherein each module associated with a subscriber is assigned an IDnumber.
 22. A method for duplicating and distributing information foridentifying profiles of subscribers of a communication system as claimedin claim 15, wherein the input unit is a computer.
 23. A method forduplicating and distributing information for identifying profiles ofsubscribers of a communication system as claimed in claim 17, wherein acommunication connection is set up between subscribers by assigning therespective subscribers a respective neutral telephone number.
 24. Amethod for duplicating and distributing information for identifyingprofiles of subscribers of a communication system as claimed in claim23, wherein the neutral telephone numbers are assigned on a temporarybasis.
 25. A module for integration into a mobile communicationappliance which is at least one of associated with a subscriber andcoupled to a mobile communication appliance associated with a subscribervia an interface, the module comprising: a memory unit for storing aprofile of the subscriber; a transmission and reception unit operatingon a basis of wireless, locally limited network technology, fortransmitting and receiving foreign profiles from other subscribers of acommunication system; a memory unit for storing the foreign profilesreceived; a correlation unit for comparing the profiles with oneanother; and a signaling/synchronization unit for indicating respectiveinstances of the profile-specific correlation thresholds being exceeded.26. A module for integration into a mobile communication appliance asclaimed in claim 25, wherein the transmission and reception unitoperates based on at least one of LAN technology and PAN technology. 27.A module for integration into a mobile communication appliance asclaimed in claim 25, wherein the memory units are RAMs.
 28. A module forintegration into a mobile communication appliance as claimed in claim25, wherein the correlation unit is a microcomputer.
 29. A module forintegration into a mobile communication appliance as claimed in claim25, wherein the signaling/synchronization unit is a software-assistedcircuit.